Bloodless Surgery Program

Our Approach to Treatment

Houston Methodist is among few hospitals nationwide that offer blood conservation techniques, or so-called “bloodless” surgery, to patients who, for personal, religious or medical reasons, want to avoid blood transfusions during surgery. Our highly skilled surgeons, anesthesiologists, hematologists, nurses and other specialists use techniques and resources to minimize blood loss, while saving and re-infusing as much of your own blood as possible.

We perform some of the most complicated procedures, including organ transplants, without using donated blood. Many patients travel across the country for bloodless surgery at Houston Methodist because of our expertise. We use:

About Bloodless Medicine

Our experts at Houston Methodist provide the most advanced care available to patients who cannot receive blood transfusions.

Patient’s Faith Leads to Lifesaving Bloodless Surgery

Rhonda Leboeuf credits strength she drew from her faith, family and friends for saving her from a fast-growing kidney tumor and the life-threatening vein blockage it produced.

Doctors close to Leboeuf’s Houma, La., home quickly diagnosed her condition: Stage 3 renal cell carcinoma with a massive thrombosis headed toward her heart. However, they could not perform the surgery she needed without permission to use a blood transfusion, which Leboeuf, a devout Jehovah’s Witness, could not allow — even to save her own life.

Despite the setback, Leboeuf, 63, and a self-described social butterfly, maintained the positivity and faith that has carried her since childhood.

“I have a belief that Jehovah is holding my right hand,” Leboeuf said, her Cajun accent revealing her southern Louisiana roots. “I’ve never had a negative attitude about this situation.”

Meanwhile, her faith leaders reached out to Jessica Varisco, a native Louisianan, fellow Jehovah’s Witness and coordinator of the patient blood management program at Houston Methodist — one of few hospitals nationwide offering the so-called bloodless surgery Leboeuf needed for a chance at survival. Houston Methodist specialists employ techniques and resources to minimize blood loss, while saving and re-infusing as much of a patient’s own blood as possible. Before surgery, doctors boost a patient’s blood count using an “anemia cocktail,” which raises the hemoglobin (a protein that carries oxygen throughout the body) to an acceptable level.

Leboeuf’s husband, Dennis, recalled doctors explaining his wife’s surgery would be as risky as walking across a tight rope without a balancing pole or safety net.

Despite its precariousness and complexity, bloodless surgery was Leboeuf’s only option. The operation lasted eight hours.

“When I woke up, I was thankful to Jehovah that I made it,” Leboeuf recalled. “I told him that I was happy that I made it and helped vindicate his name.”

Days after surgery, Leboeuf sat in her room and reflected on her journey, skimming through a journal she began keeping following her diagnosis. The book includes Bible verses and words of encouragement written by her children and grandchildren, as well as her friends and church members.

Leboeuf looked forward to regaining her health and returning home to be with her loved ones.

“My grandkids and my family are my world,” she said. “I have my faith, family and friends. That’s how I roll.”

TREATMENT LOCATIONS

Our doctors at Houston Methodist specialize in bloodless surgery at the following location: